Urban Transport in the OIC Megacities
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transport will be more equitable, sustainable and efficient. Freight operations also make a vital
contribution to megacities’ economies and sustainability as they account for a big part of most of their
income as well as their congestion and deterioration of urban environment.
In terms of organizational and institutional structure, most cities lack a concrete framework of
operations and management. It is suggested that central management of operations can enhance the
efficiency while it can provide a framework for collaboration with the private sector. At the same time,
financing for infrastructure is closely related to institutional arrangements and both need flexibility
and clear definition of the role of the private sector in order to succeed. Transparency is very
important in both areas as well as public communication of strategies and plans.
In terms of road safety, awareness, training and enforcement are the key areas where efforts should
focus. The impacts of transport on health are identified in air quality, low levels of physical activity
and urban heat conditions. All three areas are directly related to the use of private, and particularly
old, vehicles which should gradually be withdrawn from the cities. The impacts on climate change can
be restricted by sustainable strategies but in the case of Islamic megacities it is also stressed that
planning for resilience is also vital, as they are more vulnerable than their developed counterparts.
Finally, in terms of social exclusion and human dimension, it is considered that the social aspects and
impacts of transport should be reviewed in terms of accessibility, permeability of the urban
environment, equality and participation.
The key recommendations of this report are summarized below:
Framework area Key actions
Transport network and
land use planning
Make sure transport infrastructure does not cause fragmentation
of the urban environment.
Plan for land use and transport integration.
Promote multiple centre and multiple land use development.
Support Transit Orientated Development (TOD).
Mode availability and
shares
Promote Non-Motorized Transport (NMT).
Promote public transport.
Reduce motorization and car use using fiscal measures.
Institutional and
organizational structure
Promote central management and planning of operations.
Clearly define the role of the private sector.
Freight and servicing
Examine particular local needs.
Enhance international freight links.
Urban infrastructure
financing
Seek help with monitoring and evaluation.
Ensure transparency.
Clearly define the role of the private sector.
Road safety
Provide appropriate training and testing for drivers.
Raise awareness.
Health
Ban circulation and import of old vehicles.
Plan for active transport.
Use lighter colours in infrastructure.
Climate change Plan for resilience.
Social exclusion
Plan for accessible infrastructure.
Introduce flexible transport services for the elderly, women, the
urban poor and people with disabilities.
Human dimension
Support participation.
Plan for small scale.